Issues Confronting the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly
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Issues Confronting the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly Informational Bulletin No. 233 Legislative Research Commission Frankfort, Kentucky Issues Confronting the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly Prepared by Members of the Legislative Research Commission Staff Informational Bulletin No. 233 Legislative Research Commission Frankfort, Kentucky lrc.ky.gov November 2010 Paid for with state funds. Available in alternative form by request. Legislative Research Commission Foreword Issues Confronting the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly Foreword As public servants, legislators confront many issues potentially affecting citizens across the Commonwealth. These issues are varied and far-reaching. The staff of the Legislative Research Commission each year attempt to compile and to explain those issues that may be addressed during the upcoming legislative session. This publication is a compilation of major issues confronting the 2011 General Assembly. It is by no means an exhaustive list; new issues will arise with the needs of Kentucky’s citizens. Effort has been made to present these issues objectively and concisely, given the complex nature of the subjects. The discussion of each issue is not necessarily exhaustive but provides a balanced look at some of the possible alternatives. The issues are grouped according to the jurisdictions of the interim joint committees of the Legislative Research Commission; no particular meaning should be placed on the order in which they appear. LRC staff members who prepared these issue briefs were selected on the basis of their knowledge of the subject. Robert Sherman Director Legislative Research Commission Frankfort, Kentucky November 15, 2010 i Legislative Research Commission Contents Issues Confronting the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly Contents Agriculture Cost-of-care Bonds for Impounded Animals................................................................................ 1 Veterinarian Confidentiality Restrictions ..................................................................................... 4 Soring Show Horses .................................................................................................................... 6 Stockyard Sales Receipts ............................................................................................................. 8 Appropriations and Revenue Apportionment of Income for Tax Purposes .............................................................................. 11 Property Taxes .......................................................................................................................... 16 Estate Taxes .............................................................................................................................. 22 Delinquent Property Taxes ........................................................................................................ 24 Banking and Insurance Health Care Reform Issues ........................................................................................................ 27 New Federal Credit and Gift Card Laws .................................................................................... 30 Health Benefit Exchanges ......................................................................................................... 32 Economic Development and Tourism Cultural Economy ..................................................................................................................... 37 Recreational Access to State-owned Land ................................................................................. 39 Bluegrass State Skills Corporation ............................................................................................ 43 Micro Distilleries ...................................................................................................................... 45 Education Professional Development Relating to Content Standards .......................................................... 49 Student Financial Aid ................................................................................................................ 51 Personnel Evaluations for Teachers ........................................................................................... 53 School Calendars ...................................................................................................................... 55 School Choice ........................................................................................................................... 57 Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Independent Voters in Kentucky Primaries ................................................................................ 59 Voter Identification Cards ......................................................................................................... 63 Energy Carbon Storage Legal Issues ..................................................................................................... 65 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards...................................................................................... 69 Health and Welfare Use of Naxolone for Opiod Overdoses ...................................................................................... 71 Staffing Ratios for Long-term Care Facilities ............................................................................ 74 Expanding Health Care Professions ........................................................................................... 76 iii Contents Legislative Research Commission Issues Confronting the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly Judiciary Ephedrine, Psuedoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine ........................................................... 79 Sexting ...................................................................................................................................... 82 Low-profit Limited Liability Companies ................................................................................... 84 Criminal Justice Reform ............................................................................................................ 85 Labor and Industry Workers’ Compensation: Income Benefits for Intentional Safety Standard Violations ............... 89 Unemployment Insurance .......................................................................................................... 92 Workers’ Compensation: Occupational Disease ........................................................................ 95 Workers’ Compensation: Medical Disputes ............................................................................... 97 Licensing and Occupations Instant Racing ........................................................................................................................... 99 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses ..................................................................................... 101 Radon Abatement Professionals .............................................................................................. 103 Interstate Racing Compacts ..................................................................................................... 105 Local Government Funding 911 Services .............................................................................................................. 109 Regional Waste Water Authorities .......................................................................................... 112 Cap on Occupational License Fees .......................................................................................... 114 Natural Resources and Environment Waste Tire Disposal Program .................................................................................................. 117 Depredating Wildlife ............................................................................................................... 120 Payment Plans for Logging Violations .................................................................................... 122 State Government Transparency for State Financial Transactions......................................................................... 125 Privatization of State Parks ..................................................................................................... 126 Kentucky Retirement Systems Cost of Living Adjustment ...................................................... 128 Transportation Kentucky Waterways .............................................................................................................. 131 Fees for Special Motor Vehicle License Plates ........................................................................ 133 Motor Vehicle Plate-to-Customer Transfer Process ................................................................. 135 Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Military Retirement Pay During a Divorce .............................................................................. 137 Parental Rights of Service Members ........................................................................................ 139 Military and Overseas Voting .................................................................................................. 141 Hazardous Material Response Program ................................................................................... 144 iv Legislative Research Commission Agriculture Issues Confronting the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly Cost-of-care Bonds for Impounded Animals Prepared by Tanya Monsanto Should the General